Though Los Angeles has an abundance of large, mountainous areas, our neighborhood park spaces are scarce. The city council recently approved a pilot program to convert underutilized concrete.

The PlanningWith input from community members, a design focusing on sustainability was conceived for this stretch of Huntington Drive. The target budget for the project, expected to open early this year, is $32,000.

1. The FurnitureThe 24-hour parklet features built-in metal tables, contoured aluminum-vane umbrellas, and solar garden lights to create a sense of permanent public space. Custom-designed redwood benches and marine plywood tables are also in the works.

2. The DesignA three-foot-six-inch wall with decorative planters provides a barrier between the space and the street. A one-eighth-inch-thick stainless steel screen will be added to recall El Sereno’s scenic landmark of Ele-phant Hill.

3. The FloraOrnamental plants, such as English lavender, and kumquat, mandarin orange, and Meyer lemon trees capture the neighborhood’s character, while Chinese flame trees offer shade.

4. The FlooringPart of the parklet remains at street level. The rest is raised on a wood platform at sidewalk level. The deck is made of redwood approved by the Forest Stewardship Council, a nonprofit that promotes eco-responsibility in the world’s forests.

5. The SiteCentrally located in El Sereno’s downtown business district, the red-curb area measures about 14 by 54 feet. The extrawide parking buffer ensures that no valuable parking places have been lost.

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Comments

Looks nice. Main thing will be the maintenance. If the parklett is not kept up and clean, it will become a dump full of debris and litter. Needs a large waste basket and at least weekly cleaning services.